Cosmederm Bioscience Release: New Study Identifies Better Solution for Itch

SAN DIEGO, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shoppers spend more than $352 million annually on anti-itch remedies and they are faced with a wealth of options of over-the-counter products on store shelves. A new study published in the international peer-reviewed journal, Acta Dermato-Venereologica, may just help itch sufferers zero in on the most effective remedies.

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Researchers at the Wake Forest School of Medicine compared a topical hydrogel containing aluminum acetate and strontium (sold commercially as TriCalm Hydrogel) head-to-head against two products commonly marketed for anti-itch; hydrocortisone and diphenhydramine (Benadryl 1%). TriCalm was "significantly superior" to the other two over-the-counter anti-itch agents reducing both the peak intensity and duration of the subjects' itch, according to the results of the study.

"Managing itch, especially chronic itch, is challenging," said Gil Yosipovitch, MD, of the Dermatology Department at Wake Forest University and one of the study's authors. "Many of the typical over-the-counter remedies are not effective and what this study tells us is that TriCalm products are likely a more effective solution than other over-the-counter options."

The double blinded, vehicle-controlled study was looking specifically at non-histamine induced itches. The researchers induced itch in the subjects using a tropical plant called cowhage typically used when studying non-histamine-induced itch, This type of itch is more related to chronic itch, where antihistamines do not have any anti-itch effect.

New TriCalm Hydrogel is steroid-free and is now available at Walgreens, CVS and other retailers.

TriCalm is a product of Cosmederm Bioscience, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and pain management. Drawing on years of laboratory research and published clinical work, Cosmederm develops products that target a wide variety of skin diseases and inflammatory conditions. With its portfolio of patented analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds, Cosmederm has developed uniquely effective topical products ranging from cosmeceuticals and OTC drugs to a pipeline of prescription drug candidates. Cosmederm is the sole owner of COSMEDERM-7, a patented compound made from strontium that has been developed for dermatological applications. Cosmederm's product lines include TriCalm, REFINITY Skin Solutions, and COSMEDERM SKIN SCIENCE.

SOURCE Cosmederm Bioscience